



)9'(^/ 




Ihm !Tatioiial fust lliii) ^rnnon; 



BY 



ilEY. T. P. TU^OTIER, A.M. 



ir.i ~i rrr"'" tii Hi 



it~miiFmiti ran 



UNION 



NATIONAL FAST DAY 



SERMON 



DELIVERED IN THE 



UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

GETTYSBURG, PA., 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, A. D. 1861. 

; t i i, 
BY ' * 

EEV. T. P. BUCHER, A. M., 

PASTOR OF THE GERMAN REFORMED CONGREGATION. 



GETTYSBURG : 

PRINTED BY H. C. NEINSTEDT, CHAMBERSBURG ST. 
1861. 






>D3 



' ' ' c ' ' ( 



Gettysburg, Jan. 11, I86L 
Ret. T. p. Bucher : 

Dear Sir : We, the undernamed citizens, respectfully request for pub- 
lication, a copy of the Sermon delivered by you on the 4th of Jan. iuat,, 
on the occasion of the observance of the day appointedl by the Chief 
Magistrate for National Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer. 
By acceding to our request, you will oWige 

Your friends, &c, 

S, S. FORNEY, 
ROBERT G, HARPER, 
WM, McCLEAN, 
GEORGE SWOPE, 
DAVID WILLS, 
W. A. DUNCAN, 



Gettysburg, Jan. 17, I86I, 
Friends: 

Calling to mind the various creeds, parties and interests you repre- 
sent, I yield my manuscripts for publication. 

Yours Truly, 

T. P. BUCHER. 

Messrs. Forney, 

Harper, 

McCleaN; 

SwOPE, 

Wills, 
Duncan. 



SERMON. 



Text: "Howbeit, this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fast- 
ing."— Matt. XVII: 21. 

Men and Brethren : 

This is a very solemn occasion which brings us 
of various creeds and parties together in this holy 
temple. 

God the Father Almighty is to be worshipped 
through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord, in beseem- 
ing devotions, in view of the troubled and threaten- 
ing aspect of our national affairs. 

An inward consciousness guided by the teachings 
of Holy Writ has brought us, as a people, to make 
humble recognition of the Divine Sovereignty, that 
the Lord, who is God, visits individuals and nations 
with His just judgments for their sins ; that to those 
who fear His name, He is both merciful and good. 

And from thousands of christian altars, when Sab- 
bath worship fills the Sanctuary, prayers have been 
ascending to God, and daily prayers from millions of 
pious hearts, in behalf of our Country in this hour 
of her extremity. 



But as a nafon we are dismayed ; a« a naUon ti.en 
we must acknowledge our sins, and by fasling a,^ 
K«y«- sue for pardon, and that direction which w.ll 
bnng dehverance from present dangers. Sucli hum- 
W.ngs under the mighty hand of God and such plead- 
■ngs are suggested not only by the biblical page, but 
also by mcjdents in our own past history 

During the revolutionary struggle when hope seem- 
ed to fad, and unnerving destitution stared the soldi- 
ery the Revolutionary Congress appointed a season 
to be observed in fasting and prayer. 

The Convention, which had met to frame a Consti- 
tution for the United States, m the midst of its labors 
came to a dead stand. This cessation in busmess 
threatened disruption, when Franklin proposed that 
here be an adjournment for prayer and friendly con- 
ference and that, hereafter, the Convention be open- 
ed each day with an address to the Throne of Grace 
tor wisdom and direction in the duties before it The 
motion prevailed unanimously, and to that eminently 
prudent suggestion we know not how far we are ,n 
deb ed for that noble compact which has bound the 
states together in peace and prosperity for nearly 
lOur score years. ^ 

Then in this present gloomy slate of the nation, 
when political madness seems to prevail, and so few 
& a tesmen effort to pour o,l on the boiling deep, when 
a lm,,ia,iw,.sdom IS at lanlt, when our counsellors 
-r horn tlicchielcst down, when hope almost has 



deserted tlie minds of men, it is very proper, yen^ 
and grateful to those who love their country, who 
love the union for the sake of what has been achiev- 
ed under it in the past, and the high hopes of the 
future — that a day has been set apart fu)' humilia- 
tion^ fasting and jjrayer by the President^ that we, in 
our national capacity, may flee to Jehovah, our only 
hope and refuge, "a very present help in time of 
trouble." 

Our devotions therefore assume this serious, and 
heart-throbbing character. I tremble in view of my 
position, in view of the delicacy and responsibility 
of the pulpit. I assure you it has not been cov- 
eted. 

The force of circumstances, and the illness of sev- 
eral of my ministerial brethren have constrained me 
to speak to my countrymen and for my country in 
this solemn place. To-day, who would stand between 
God and man should be an Eh of long experience 
before the altar, and not a youthful Samuel. To- 
day is needed sober thoughtfulness, calm judgment, 
and grave christian counsel. Men of impassion- 
ed minds and feelings are demanded. And now, 
where do we turn for these, but to grey heads who 
can look serenely over the boisterous sea of our trou- 
bles, discerning the lowering storm, and who, in the 
might and wisdom of their age, can lead most rever- 
ently our worship to Him whose favor, when se- 
cured, will temper judgment with mercy. 



8 

But in our capacity to-day we are also pares inter 
pares. We are all mutually interested, and equal- 
ly responsible. A weighty duty presses upon every 
good citizen and Christian patriot of our land. For 
each must feel that never in the history of our con- 
federacy was the help of God more needed, never 
was there such occasion for humiliation, for fast- 
ings FOR PRAYER, that He, who alone is mighty, 
would rebuke the evils which disturb our body po- 
htic, and come, and bless us. 

The history of our text, selected from the words of 
the Lord Jesus, is briefly a narrative of the miracle 
performed by him, when he rebuked a devil that had 
possessed a youth of Galilee. The lad had first 
been brought to the disciples by his father, but the 
case was such an aggravated one, and the faith of 
both parties so wavering, that they could not cure 
him. After the miracle by the Great Master, the 
disciples came inquiring of him why they could not 
cast out the evil spirit, when the pith of the reply 
was, "this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fast- 
ing." 

In the application of these words to our present 
circumstances we are led to remark : 

I. Upon the aggravated Evils which have be- 
come INCORPORATE IN OUR BODY POLITIC, AND NOW 

DISTRESS us ; and that 

II. Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer are means 
FOR their removal. In other words, if our abase- 



menl be sincere^ if our repentance he whole^ God imll 
send us relief fram the affiiciions which our sins have 
hrought^ and give j)eace and jjrosperiiy to all our 
borders. 

There can be no questioning the propriety of set- 
ting forth the causes of our present distress, if the 
end aimed at be proper. That humihation which is 
deepest, and which the wonder-working God will 
have respect to, comes from a clear consciousness 
of guilt. Then let us advert to the evils, evil spirits 
they should be called, which afflict our body politic. 
These are 

SUPREME DEVOTION TO MATERIAL INTERESTS. 

This is one of the leading sins of the American 
people. If we lift up the curtain that veils the mo- 
tives of men in any of the professions and trades, in 
all the walks of life, the over-ruhng propensity dis- 
covered will be this — an excessive, unremitting devo- 
tion to mammon, and other material interests. It 
amounts to idolatry. The worshippers exhibit 
the greatest ardency. They brave all sorts of 
dangers. They risk life, health and happiness. No 
difficulties are insurmountable. Every possible sac- 
rifice is made, if it will further success, if it will 
only conduct along the golden avenues to the palace 
where their El Dorado is enshrined. Corporations 
are frequently formed of the most heterogeneous ele- 
ments, with no bond of sympathy but that of worldly 



10 

interest. Utilitarianism invests everything. Almost 
every project, every enterprise, moral, social, politi- 
cal or religious, is subjected to the test question, 
"Will it pay?" Not whether it will improve society, 
advance the arts of peace, and build up the tranquil 
reign of righteousness, but whether it will pay. In- 
deed it has come to this, that the lust for gain pre- 
vails over almost every noble impulse •, it ignores the 
high and holy interests of humanity, and the honor 
of God •, and in this hour of danger, restrains the 
ardor of that patriotism necessary to the preserva- 
tion of our common country. Have you not heard 
of the calculations made of the material value of 
the Union ? The South has spoken out, "We'll 
make money by disunion, and the establishment of 
independent sovereignties, and the North saying "Let 
these cotton States secede, the government will save 
millions by their withdrawal." Money has become 
the paramount interest which subordinates our love 
of country, the rights and privileges enjoyed under 
the constitution, the progress of good government, 
and the influence which a united, free and virtuous 
people must exert upon the nations of the earth; 
yea, completely subordinates them all to the suprem- 
acy of mere material interests. 

This explains the sordid selfishness underlying the 
expressions reverberating not in our quiet vales and 
hamlets, but in the halls of Congress, even: Cotton 
is King! Commerce is King! Corn is King! Rice is 



11 

King ! Iron is King ! consummated in the dynasty to 
which all belong, Money is King ! ! Yea, as if it 
were to follow : Maminmi is King and God his sub- 
ject. 

Very true, that a high degree of energy in the 
acquisition of wealth is not incompatible with the 
true progress of a nation. Laziness can never be 
approbated, nor indolence reckoned one of the vir- 
tues. By no means. Schemes of accumulating for- 
tunes, efforts and enterprises necessary to break our 
prairies, and cut down our forests, to explore our 
mines, and develop our national resources, are not 
to be exchanged for beds of ease, nor for masterly 
inactivity. But what I mean to say, is, that our 
supreme devotion to material interests is wrong ; that 
it prostitutes mind and heart, our moral and physical 
powers to objects beneath those to which we may 
nominally aspire ; that it tends to blunt the finer sen- 
sibihties of the soul, to weaken the restraints of con- 
science, to destroy the might of motives to intellec- 
tual and moral attainments, defeating thereby the high 
purpose for which God has raised us up as a nation ; 
that it strengthens the baser passions of man's na- 
ture so as to render it possible, yea, probable, that it 
is such a dangerous evil proclivity in our national hfe 
as eventually to undermine the whole fabric of our 
institutions, and cause this last experiment of a free 
government to fall by its own covetousness and lux- 
ury, like some noted republics of old. 



12 

Such is one of the first and leading evils to be 
bewailed by our afflicted nation at this time. It 
militates against her internal harmony, and checks 
her wonted progress and true greatness. 

EXCESSIVE PARTY SPIRIT. 

In a government like ours Party Spirit in a tem- 
perate form is of great practical importance. It not 
only contributes to watchfulness on the part of those 
who may be intrusted with the affairs of the nation, 
but urges the adoption of such measures as will ad- 
vance the public good. Where the people are sov- 
ereign, there is continual need of interest and re- 
flection on questions affecting the common weal. 
Parties promote these by their rival policies ; they 
tend to stir up the popular mind, to increase intelli- 
gence and give energy to the administration of gov- 
ernment. But Party Spirit when excessive, when it 
exists to the extent it does amongst us, is rather a 
curse than a blessing. Facts bear out this strong 
assertion. 

1. Political partisans hate each other. 

a. They disregard the obligations due to each oth- 
er as fellow-citizens. 

h. They depreciate rights and opinions entitled to 
equal weight with their own. 

c. They assail each others' character to an unwar- 
ranted degree and bcmcan themselves before God 
and man. 



13 

2. Is not our party spirit entirely too proscriptive 
for the general good? a.) When a man's business 
suffers and his patronage decreases : b.) When his 
character as a citizen and his religious standing are 
at a discount, simply by belonging to an opposite 
party : is there not then a tendency current which 
must disturb the order of things, embitter social 
relations, and undermine the interests of both church 
and State ? A spn-it, by the way, altogether incon- 
sistent with personal freedom, and sadly destructive, 
in the end, of our boasted national hberty. 

Look at Party Spirit breathing out through the 
press of the land ! What is its character and bear- 
ing ? It stoops to conquer. With noble exceptions, 
it is often characterized by a malignant and unhal- 
lowed spirit of personal abuse. Public men and 
candidates for public station are subject to the sever- 
est animadversions. Every little foible in a man's 
character is magnified into a most serious defect. 
This cannot help but weigh with men of modest 
worth, deterring them from entering the lists for 
office ; whilst it elevates obscure men of mediocre 
talents and fitness to responsible positions, to become 
our law-makers and guardians in State and National 
councils. This is a very sore evil — felt to-day — 
patent this hour in the halls of Congress. 

But the immoral character of the partisan press 
lies not entirely in its too often low vulgarity and 
unworthy detraction. When it rises into earnest 



14 



discussion of political (lucstions it is bitter, vindic- 
tive and uncompromising in the extreme. It knows 
no higher aim than party, and with its potent influence 
resists the true progress of the nation. Why ? Be- 
cause its motive is self and party aggrandizement. 
This is the pent-up Utica within which it dwells, and 
which hinders any far sweeping view of the sublime 
interests of the race and nation. Except in a few 
instances it is controlled by no christian mind and 
has no christian heart pulsating through its opimons. 
It repudiates anything like deference for religion and 
man^s high destiny. Yea, it looks contemptuously 
upon the church of Jesus Christ, for the reason that 
it will not prostitute its more comprehensive mission 
to the constrained level of becoming an abettor of 
the particular ism of this, or that political journal. 

Look again at party spirit finding its way out 
through the pulpits of the land, of New England 
mostly. There are preachers of politics as well as 
of the gospel. There are those who are not satis- 
fied with proclaiming the written scripture, in its own 
gentle, all persuasive mission, but who go out of the 
Bible, into the sphere of politics, for themes ; who 
make their pulpits the place to echo their partisan 
predilections as well as their evangel of love and 
mercy to a perishing world, caught up from the book 
of inspiration. This sensational-political preaching 
may attract crowds and sell pews, but it may also mar 
the peace oi" Zion, and injure the cause of Christ. 



15 

Great and good men of all creeds and parties are 
beginning to look upon this as wholesale pulpit dese- 
cration and very mischeivous, and as retarding the 
true interests of man. 

SECTIONAL HATRED. 

This is now the dark cloud o'erhanging our bor- 
ders, brooding secession and disunion. How por- 
tentously black and appalling ! See ye any traces 
of a silver lining ? Truly, it becomes every man 
who loves the land of his birth, and his race, to 
dwell with the deepest solicitude upon this most 
fearful evil of all with which we are threatened. 
The spirit of sectionalism was born in our country 
years ago. But there have always been conserva- 
tive men enough to crush its risings before it come 
to be so fearful an evil as it now appears both North 
and South. 

"Our fathers when they devised measures for pro- 
moting their country's welfare had reference to every 
section. They wished to be just to each and to all. 
It was literally true of them that they knew no 
North, no South, no East, no West They did not 
interfere with the particular institutions of any part 
of the Union. They did not indulge in invective 
language that was only calculated to embitter one 
portion of the Union against the other. Their 
object was to bind together in indissoluble bonds 
their entire country. They knew that every part 



16 

was dependent on the other, and that each was de- 
rived from the union of all." 

Having done their part faithfully and in the spirit of 
mutual concession and brotherly love, they hoped to 
bequeath to posterity a precious boon. And the sol- 
emn compact of States thus happily wedded together, 
was not a marriage for a day, but for aye. It was 
expected to become more vigorous, and more closely 
inter-united, and, gradually, to approach perfection 
with the strength of years. 

This was the spirit of our fathers. What is the 
spirit now dwelling in many of their sons ? Is it the 
same loyal devotion to the ideas underlying the con- 
structed government ? — To the charity which bound 
each component part ? Does enlightened conserva- 
tism prevail now, as then ? 

This may be the reason. The christian element 
in civilization has not kept pace with the growth of 
fanaticism. The former moves in the quiet sphere 
of sanctified hfe ; the latter appealing to the natural 
emotions, runs with accelerated speeds, until by its 
vantage it has endangered the perpetuity of our 
whole fabric by creating the most violent of antagon- 
isms. 

But are anti-slavery and pro-slavery so irreconcil- 
able ? Must they necessarily array one State against 
another ? — be the bone of contention continually ? — 
and excite sectional hatred ? Can it be, that all the 
precious interests of the Union, political and relig- 



17 

ious must be jeopardized by that which our Fathers 
were entirely silent over ? Morally, slavery is not 
incompatible with Christianity, just as little as anti- 
slavery, pohtically, must be subversive of equal rights. 
Christianity* is both slavery and anti-slavery, 
and yet it is neither. Its mission is broader, higher, 
holier. How can it be made the hand-maid of 
sectionaHsm, when it knows no North, nor South, no 
East, nor West. Life, Light, and Love is the spirit 
it carries wherever its peaceful sway extends. 

On the one hand, it puts forth proper efforts for 
the oppressed ; on the other, it sanctifies the rela- 
tions of master and slave, making the master hu- 
mane, and the slave faithful and obedient.f Christi- 
anity does not propose any change in the outward 
relations, in which God has placed man by birth, ed- 
ucation, or fortune.J It does not encourage dissen- 
sion and sedition, sectionalism and revolution, but 
quietly makes better whatever institutions it may 
find existing among men, until by their own free mil 
and accord they prefer, because they are prepared to 
enjoy, a different order of things. Where, then, is 
the necessity for this excitement, this bitter vitupera- 
tion, this unbrotherly hatred, which disturb the 
peace and harmony of our beloved land, and lead to 
civil war .f* 

*In this, and several other places, I have taken the privilege of sta- 
ting the idea intended to be conveyed more definitely, than the hurry of 
my preparation for the pulpit allowed. 

fEph. 0:5— 9. JlTim. 6:1— 6. 



18 

To correct the evils of slavery, preach Christ 
crucified, "to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the 
Greeks foolishness." For, where Christ is all and 
in all, there will be "neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor 
free, male, nor female." To restrain the aggressive 
spirit of anti-slavery, let evangelical piety temper 
both presses and societies with the charity of the 
Gospel. If the power of a posilive Christianity 
could prevail, it would be like oil on the troubled 
waters. Then the hearts and minds of the people 
would be filled with the mind that was in Christ ; 
then would they be as one. Crimination and recri- 
mination would cease, and the spirit of mutual for- 
bearance and brotherly kindness would soon adjust 
the difficulties which now impede our prosperity, as 
well as disturb our peace. 

Sectionalism has reigned long enough. It has di- 
vided churches — destroyed the peace and unity of 
families — embarrassed all kinds of business — 
distracted the whole country. See what we, as 
a nation, have already lost by it ; and think of the 
religious interests of millions of the race of man 
that may yet be jeopardized by it. In connection 
with this, look at the picture of a dismembered con- 
federacy, where civil war reigns, and brethren of a 
once happy land have taken arms to fight against 
their kindred with the fury of demons ! Think of the 
houses made desolate ; of the widows and orphans 
left in grief ! Think of the anarchy that would de - 



19 

luge our fertile vallies with fraternal blood ! Think 
of every possible interest, whether of a civil, or reli- 
gious kind, completely prostrated ; and of the con- 
temned God of Heaven laughing at our calamity ! 

The heart of the true patriot, already faint, sick- 
ens at the thought ; and all the work of this evil 
spirit of sectionahsm. For our country's sake, for 
humanity's sake, let us bury our differences, and 
humble ourselves at the foot of the Cross. Let 
us plead for mercy and peace of Him, who can 
brinjr order out of confusion, before that disastrous 
day come, when it shall lay our hopes in the loath- 
some dust, and write Ichabod on the walls of our 
skies. 

IRRELIGIOUS, OR UNCHRISTIAN ELEMENT. 

This is one of the deplorable evils in respect to 
which some leading points only can be mentioned. 

Is there irreligion in politics } Does an unchris- 
tian element show itself to any alarming extent ? 
Solemn questions to the American citizen ! Let us 
attempt their consideration. Politics^ m a general 
way, is so corrupt, that good men are advised to 
keep out of it. Unless, when you are in Rome, you 
can do as Rome does, 'twere better not to aspire to 
political preferment. In order to get the nomination, 
and then the political office, a man is compelled to 
compromise his christian standing. He must do it 
either directly, or be in complicity with those, who 



20 

have few conscientious scruples to respect, if he 
wishes to succeed. And then, when the post is gain- 
ed, the immorahties of our pubhc men embarrass him, 
and modify his sentiments at every point. As much 
as possible, if he is decidedly pious, he must be kept 
out of party organization, and repelled from such 
places of trust where his sway would be felt, be- 
cause religious and conscientious scruples are at va- 
riance with the general irreligion of political life, 
and distasteful to corrupt public men. 

The neutrality of politicians and statesmen with 
respect to religion in its proper sense is obvious. 
They do not wish, even if they feel it to be right 
and duty, to identify themselves with any thoroughly 
Christian denomination. It is said, that our Chief 
Executive, the President, keeps aloof from form- 
al church-membership until he retires from office. 
Though he, of all other men, needs the grace of 
God in the discharge of his high duties and trusts, 
yet he must forego this, as it is enjoyed in the church 
by the humblest citizen. Biblical principles under- 
lie the structure of government, yet it is considered 
improper to recognize the fact, or those administra- 
ting it, that they should be religious ! The State Con- 
stitutions of Missouri and Texas contain clauses hos- 
tile to Christianity ;* only those of North Carolina 
and New Jersey recognize the christian faith, and 
are formed after the model of Christian States. As 

*Dr. Mcllvaine ou a "Nation's Ri^hl to V/urship God." 



a nation, we do not acknowledge Jesus Christ to be 
king. Look at our State and National Thanksgiving 
and Fast proclamations, how carefully, they refrain 
from giving honor to Christ. His name is not only 
omitted, but the least reference to his mediatorship 
is avoided. To all intents and purposes, therefore, 
are not these infidel papers? Omit the name of 
Christ because Jew, or Mahommedan, or infidel ob- 
jects? Surely we are more a Christian nation than 
Jew or infidel ? Here then we may sin grievously 
in not rendering faithful and sincere homage to 
Christ, respecting the opinions of men more than 
the plain dictates of right, and teachings of truth. 

There may be some offsets to these statements 
found in the liberal policy of our government, but 
then, at this juncture, and in view of the design of 
this day's devotions, it is well, if we would be up- 
right and sincere, to acknowledge the plain facts set 
forth. 

Infidelity^ already wide-spread, is extending itself 
more and' more, and silently poisoning the pure 
morality of the Bible to which it is opposed. This 
IS done under the garb of philanthropy and would- 
be reforms. There are scores of these reform pub- 
lications, and thousands of these philanthropists pen- 
etrating every nook and corner of our social rela- 
tions, and diffusing their infidel principles, by projec- 
ting modes of living, etc., conducive to the temporal 
welfare of human life, which in every way ignore 



22 

any reference to man''s eternal destiny. In this way 
the various schemes of the sociahsts, et id genus 
omne^ are industriously propagated. See how old 
established theories of government are repudiated ! 
At the late Puritan Festival in Philadelphia on Fore- 
fathers' day, an eloquent orator* spoke these words 
amid applause : "Men need governments of restraint 
only as they are not developed, and not free. As 
the individual becomes strong in his whole nature he 
needs no government, the human soul is competent 
to entire sovereignty." These statements are put 
forth as the cardinal doctrines of Puritan Ethics and 
Puritan Politics. Their teaching is simply to leave 
each man to do that which is right in his own 
eyes. Now is this biblical ? Is it not blasphemy ? 
Arrogating to poor sinful humanity that to which the 
angels in heaven dare not aspire ! 

There is irreligion also in our moral relations. 
That creed is prevailing everywhere, that "a man's 
moral character does not constitute the basis on 
which his external destiny is decided — that all are re- 
warded ahke — that the laws of God and man may be 
violated with impunity." According to this theory 
either there is no future state at all, or else it is one 
of felicity for all. Religion is merely negative, if 
there be any such state of moral relation. Such is 
its monstrous doctrine ! It is nothing for the soul's 
enjoyment, or the life's peace, or death's hope. No, 

*Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. 



23 

none of this. And these irrehgious theories are 
flowing like streams all over our land, blighting its 
fairest prospects, and undermining the very founda- 
tions of our moral relations and ultimate greatness. 
Many, many are decoyed, and unhinged as to their 
true interests, who might be numbered among the 
virtuous and the good, the noblest of our enlighten- 
ed country. 

OTHER EVILS. 

How can we close our eyes to the growing evils 
of Sabbath-breaking, Intemperance and Gambling .-^ 
Look at the myriads of Sunday desecrators and 
their forwardness ! Look at the tens of thousands 
of victims of Intemperance annually going to ruin ! 
Look at the rapidly increasing number of political^ 
social and private gamblers^ who reap treasures at 
the expense of those who make no pretensions to 
control the stocks, who stuff the ballot boxes, or 
who are in league with the conscienceless proprietors 
of the faro. 

There is also the evil spirit of pride. This is 
named last, but it is by no means the least. We 
lack not in those who will extravagandy glorify their 
country, and boast in startling impiety of our institu- 
tions ; nor in those who glorify themselves — Herod- 
like — as if there were no Supreme One to whom all 
homage must be paid. 

These, my brethren, are some of the sins which 
characterize our people, and are, per consequence, 



24 

reigning in our national life, in our body politic, like 
the evil one prevailed in the youth of Galilee. Are 
they not of an aggravated character ? Our country 
too is but youngs yet these are her sore afflictions 
which disturb and distress her, prostrating her, as it 
were, to the ground, and tearing her in every joint 
and member. 

OUR DUTY. 

To whom now shall we look for relief.'^ Who is 
able to rebuke the evils which threaten her destruc- 
tion, who to restore her to health, activity and pros- 
perity again .'' 

To men! No, the exigency is too great for 
human help. The crisis which has come upon us 
like a thunder-clap in a clear sky has confused and 
turned the counsels of men to naught. Without di- 
vine interposition we have but little hope. This our 
calamity can only be averted by 

HUMILIATION, FASTING AND PRAYER. 

If we humble ourselves in deep contrition. If 
we, by fasting and prayer, implore the Divine 
•l^elp — He may have compassion upon us and 
come to our relief. If we acknowledge the justness 
of our punishment for past sins and heartily forsake 
them — He will exalt us to our wonted position. If 
this nation, like Nineveh of old, clothes, itself in the 
sackoloth of repentance, we need have no fear but 



25 

that God will remove our affliction, and bid peace 
and happiness smile upon our borders. 

By fasting and prayer the whole heart of the na- 
tion may be turned to God in sincere trust and confi- 
dence. These, verily, may be the two wings of 
her repenting soul, by the help of which she may 
ascend to Heaven and secure the peace of God. 
This is what we so much need, the favor of Almigthy 
God. His peace is ourpeace. Enjoying it, we will 
forget past differences, rise above that which now dis- 
tracts and divides, leaving what evils we lament to be 
overthrown by Jehovah, and what justice we wish to 
see prevailing, firmly established by his powerful 
hand. By it we will be filled with the one spirit of 
his charity, and be united in the mission of free- 
dom and righteousness to the nations of earth. 

May our abasement to-day be of that sincere and 
whole kind which is the forerunner of our exaltation ! 
May it move Him who holds the destinies of nations 
in his hands, to bring speedy relief, and before many 
more bright suns may blush at our confusion, permit 
us to witness the return of peace and good will, of 
order, harmony and prosperity rising and reigning 
from Maine to California, from the Lakes to the 
Gulfs, in the beautiful resplendency of their counter- 
parts of plenty, happiness and true greatness. 

And, as we compass God's holy altar at this time, 
and in the exercises of this evening,* let it be our 

*The Union Meeting of Prayer for our Country was held in the eve- 
ning in the German Reformed Church. 



sincere purpose to look away from ourselves — from 
our sins — from the material interests to which we 
have been so supremely devoted, and from partisan 
politics, which seems to have subordinated our love 
of country to the love of party : let us cease magni- 
fying the differences between ourselves, and our 
brethren of any other section : let it be foremost in 
our minds to repudiate the irreligion of our day, 
and nation, and to honor and acknowledge Jesus 
Christ to be King of Nations, as well as King of 
Saints .' Yea, and as forming part of the great 
assembly of the millions of our countrymen congre- 
gated to-day within the various churches of the land, 
let us be moved in deep earnestness, and with un- 
feigned lips, to worship Him, as the Lord^ our God ; 
that it may please Him to cause His face to shine 
upon us, and to UNITE US in the fulfillment of tJie 
great purpose for ivhich He has raised us up as a 
nation ! 

Let our prayer be 

"Oh Lord ! Look down upon our land thou hast loved so well, 

And grant that in unbroken peace, her children still may dwell. 

******** 

Oh Lord, keep her penitent, grateful, the happiest 'neath the sun, 
Our Country, our whole Country, and our COUNTRY ONE," 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



012 025 946 5 |§ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



012 025 946 5 



pH8J 



